Can a nursing student transfer into a program elsewhere?

[danedsel]

I realize this question has probably been asked hundreds of times, but I wanted to specifically address my (possible) dilemma.

Was recently accepted into a local nursing program beginning Fall '13 later this month. I'm currently faced with the possibility that some of my family and I could be moving to another state in December/January. I was already rejected once to a nursing school out-of-state for Spring '14 and have yet to hear back from another one. My theory is that most schools tend to favor not only in-state students, but also ones that have already been students at that particular school. I'm applying to a school in the area I may be moving to but, since it's out-of-state, I'm not sure I'll get in.

My question is, "Is it easier to transfer to another nursing school if you've already been in another program elsewhere than it is to apply as a pre-nursing student?" I guess I have no choice if I have to move but I'm trying to determine what to do. If my family has to move, will staying behind and doing a semester or two here ever allow me to transfer out there?

I inquired once with a nursing adviser and she told me transfers could be accepted if there was space and the student was in good standing. She also said the student could lose semester(s) of credit due to degree plan incompatibility. Thanks.

[Swellz]

I don't know anything about nursing school specifically, but the university I attended for my BA had a much higher GPA requirement for transfers than for prospective, incoming freshman.

[alindberg]

To my knowledge schools won't transfer actual NUR courses. So you should be able to transfer all of your pre-reqs but I doubt you'd be able to transfer actual nursing classes unless certain schools have agreements to do so. I could be wrong, but I don't think it's an option. I completed a semester and a half of nursing school before and no one would take my 1st semester class as a transfer. I had to completely reapply to nursing school. Good luck!

[DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN]

At my school, you need to complete "their program". There is no way to gauge what you learned in your first nursing program compared to the school you just came from. They would have to possibly reteach you skills as they might be different for the facility you are going into. This is to your benefit as well, because what if you totally missed the lecture on Acid/Base balance for example. Not only is it important for the NCLEX, but in practice as well. Good luck

[dansamy]

Most nursing programs do not transfer credit to/from other programs. Sorry.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I inquired once with a nursing adviser and she told me transfers could be accepted if there was space and the student was in good standing. She also said the student could lose semester(s) of credit due to degree plan incompatibility. Thanks.

That pretty much sums it up. She's right.

Why not stay where you are, get an apartment with a roommate or two, and finish your nursing program? Most people who are old enough to be in college for a profession are able to take that leap. if you are dependent on your parents for support and tuition, point out that you can probably pay a year's rent with the tuition you'll have to pay to make up a year or so by transferring.

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

I've seen it happen in my program. A girl in my class took the first semester at another school and transfered to my school, but she had to start at the beginning with the exception of one class. A girl in the semester ahead of me almost completed her program at another school but failed the last semester. She was still in good standing and could have returned to her previous school (as required by state in order to transfer nursing schools) but choose to switch because of financial aid reasons. My school granted her acceptance, but she started at semester two (of five) because of how differently the programs are set up.